Inferior vena CAVA and Lung UltraSound-guided therapy in Acute Heart Failure: a randomized pilot study (CAVAL US-AHF study).

BACKGROUND: The optimal assessment of systemic and lung decongestion during acute heart failure is not clearly defined. We evaluated whether inferior vena cava (IVC) and pulmonary ultrasound (CAVAL US) guided therapy is superior to standard care in reducing subclinical congestion at discharge in patients with AHF. METHODS: CAVAL US-AHF was an investigator-initiated, single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. A daily quantitative ultrasound protocol using the 8-zone method was used and treatment was adjusted according to an algorithm. The primary endpoint was the presence of more than five B-lines and/or an increase in IVC diameter and collapsibility at discharge. And secondary endpoint exploratory outcome was the composite of readmission for HF, unplanned visit for worsening HF or death at 90 days RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized to CAVAL US (n=30) or control (n=30). The primary endpoint was achieved in 4 patients (13.3%) in the CAVAL US group and 20 patients (66.6%) in the control group (p<0.001). A significant reduction in HF readmission, unplanned visit for worsening HF or death at 90 days was seen in the CAVAL US group (13.3% vs 36.7%; log rank p=0.038). Other endpoints such as NT-proBNP reduction at discharge showed a non-statistically significant reduction in the CAVAL US group (48% IQR 27-67 vs 37% -3-59;p=0.09). Safety outcomes were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: IVC and lung ultrasound-guided therapy in AHF patients significantly reduced subclinical congestion at discharge. CAVAL US-AHF provides preliminary evidence for the potential use of a simple technique to guide decongestive therapy during hospitalization for AHF, which may reduce the composite outcome at 90 days.

Who acquires infection from whom? A sensitivity analysis of transmission dynamics during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium.

Age-related heterogeneity in a host population, whether due to how individuals mix and contact each other, the nature of host-pathogen interactions defining epidemiological parameters, or demographics, is crucial in studying infectious disease dynamics. Compartmental models represent a popular approach to address the problem, dividing the population of interest into a discrete and finite number of states depending on, for example, individuals' age and stage of infection. We study the corresponding linearised system whose operator, in the context of a discrete-time model, equates to a square matrix known as the next generation matrix. Performing formal perturbation analysis of the entries of the aforementioned matrix, we derive indices to quantify the age-specific variation of its dominant eigenvalue (i.e., the reproduction number) and explore the relevant epidemiological information we can derive from the eigenstructure of the matrix. The resulting method enables the assessment of the impact of age-related population heterogeneity on virus transmission. In particular, starting from an age-structured SEIR model, we demonstrate the use of this approach for COVID-19 dynamics in Belgium. We analyse the early stages of the SARS-CoV-2 spread, with particular attention to the pre-pandemic framework and the lockdown lifting phase initiated as of May 2020. Our results, influenced by our assumption on age-specific susceptibility and infectiousness, support the hypothesis that transmission was only influenced to a small extent by children in the age group [0,18) and adults over 60 years of age during the early phases of the pandemic and up to the end of July 2020.

The impact of quality-adjusted life years on evaluating COVID-19 mitigation strategies: lessons from age-specific vaccination roll-out and variants of concern in Belgium (2020-2022).

BACKGROUND: When formulating and evaluating COVID-19 vaccination strategies, an emphasis has been placed on preventing severe disease that overburdens healthcare systems and leads to mortality. However, more conventional outcomes such as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and inequality indicators are warranted as additional information for policymakers. METHODS: We adopted a mathematical transmission model to describe the infectious disease dynamics of SARS-COV-2, including disease mortality and morbidity, and to evaluate (non)pharmaceutical interventions. Therefore, we considered temporal immunity levels, together with the distinct transmissibility of variants of concern (VOCs) and their corresponding vaccine effectiveness. We included both general and age-specific characteristics related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Our scenario study is informed by data from Belgium, focusing on the period from August 2021 until February 2022, when vaccination for children aged 5-11 years was initially not yet licensed and first booster doses were administered to adults. More specifically, we investigated the potential impact of an earlier vaccination programme for children and increased or reduced historical adult booster dose uptake. RESULTS: Through simulations, we demonstrate that increasing vaccine uptake in children aged 5-11 years in August-September 2021 could have led to reduced disease incidence and ICU occupancy, which was an essential indicator for implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions and maintaining healthcare system functionality. However, an enhanced booster dose regimen for adults from November 2021 onward could have resulted in more substantial cumulative QALY gains, particularly through the prevention of elevated levels of infection and disease incidence associated with the emergence of Omicron VOC. In both scenarios, the need for non-pharmaceutical interventions could have decreased, potentially boosting economic activity and mental well-being. CONCLUSIONS: When calculating the impact of measures to mitigate disease spread in terms of life years lost due to COVID-19 mortality, we highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the health-related quality of life of survivors. Our study underscores that disease-related morbidity could constitute a significant part of the overall health burden. Our quantitative findings depend on the specific setup of the interventions under review, which is open to debate or should be contextualised within future situations.

Acute graft rejection mimicking constrictive pericarditis after heart transplantation. A case report.

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is an infrequent complication following heart transplantation (HTx) and arises from diverse postoperative occurrences, including mediastinitis, pericardial effusion, or allograft rejection. Indeed, this rare clinical entity can be misdiagnosed as a rejection episode or restrictive cardiomyopathy. In this report, we present the case of a 43-year-old male who underwent HTx 1.5 years prior and was subsequently admitted to our center due to the gradual onset of symptoms indicative of right congestive heart failure, with an initial diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.

La pericarditis constrictiva (PC) representa una complicación rara después de un trasplante de corazón (TC), derivada de diversos eventos posoperatorios como mediastinitis, derrame pericárdico o rechazo del injerto. De hecho, esta entidad clínica poco común puede ser diagnosticada erróneamente como un episodio de rechazo o miocardiopatía restrictiva. En este informe presentamos el caso de un hombre de 43 años que se sometió a un TC 1,5 años antes y que fue ingresado posteriormente a nuestra institución debido al inicio gradual de síntomas indicativos de insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva derecha, con diagnóstico inicial de pericarditis constrictiva.

In-hospital initiation of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: 90-day prescription patterns and clinical implications.

INTRODUCTION: Safety and early clinical benefit make sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2-i) therapy suitable for in-hospital initiation in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Despite randomized controlled trials and guideline recommendations, they are underused, and clinical inertia may play a role. OBJECTIVES PRIMARY: To assess the impact of initiating SGLT-2i at discharge on 90-day prescription rates in patients with HFrEF during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF). Secondary: To evaluate the presence of independent factors associated with prescription, and to explore clinical outcomes at 90 days. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive prospective single-center cohort. Adult patients hospitalized between January 2021 and September 2022 with a primary diagnosis of AHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were included. The primary outcome was SGLT2-i prescription rate at 90 days, and the exploratory secondary endpoints was the composite of hospitalization or urgent visit for AHF or all-cause mortality at 90 days. RESULTS: 237 patients were included. Mean age was 76±11 years, and mean LVEF was 29±7%. In patients without contraindications, SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) were prescribed during hospitalization in 52.3%. At 90 days, the SGLT2-i prescription rate was 94.2% in those with in-hospital initiation and 14.4% in those without. (p<0.001). Independent factor associated with inpatient prescription was lower LVEF, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77-0.89) for each point. Patients with in-hospital SGLT2-i initiation showed a lower rate of the combined endpoint of all-cause death, HF rehospitalization, or unplanned HF visit at 90 days (44.4% versus 23.9%, p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital initiation of SGLT-2-i was associated with significantly higher prescription rates and lower prevalence in the secondary combined endpoint at 90 days. This study reflects the presence of medical inertia, particularly in patients with higher LVEF, and highlights the hospitalization period as an optimal time to start SGLT2-i.

Characterising information gains and losses when collecting multiple epidemic model outputs.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative comparisons and combinations of epidemic models are used as policy-relevant evidence during epidemic outbreaks. In the process of collecting multiple model projections, such collaborations may gain or lose relevant information. Typically, modellers contribute a probabilistic summary at each time-step. We compared this to directly collecting simulated trajectories. We aimed to explore information on key epidemic quantities; ensemble uncertainty; and performance against data, investigating potential to continuously gain information from a single cross-sectional collection of model results. METHODS: We compared projections from the European COVID-19 Scenario Modelling Hub. Five teams modelled incidence in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain. We compared July 2022 projections by incidence, peaks, and cumulative totals. We created a probabilistic ensemble drawn from all trajectories, and compared to ensembles from a median across each model's quantiles, or a linear opinion pool. We measured the predictive accuracy of individual trajectories against observations, using this in a weighted ensemble. We repeated this sequentially against increasing weeks of observed data. We evaluated these ensembles to reflect performance with varying observed data. RESULTS: By collecting modelled trajectories, we showed policy-relevant epidemic characteristics. Trajectories contained a right-skewed distribution well represented by an ensemble of trajectories or a linear opinion pool, but not models' quantile intervals. Ensembles weighted by performance typically retained the range of plausible incidence over time, and in some cases narrowed this by excluding some epidemic shapes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed several information gains from collecting modelled trajectories rather than quantile distributions, including potential for continuously updated information from a single model collection. The value of information gains and losses may vary with each collaborative effort's aims, depending on the needs of projection users. Understanding the differing information potential of methods to collect model projections can support the accuracy, sustainability, and communication of collaborative infectious disease modelling efforts.

Integrins regulate hERG1 dynamics by girdin-dependent Gαi3: signaling and modeling in cancer cells.

The hERG1 potassium channel is aberrantly over expressed in tumors and regulates the cancer cell response to integrin-dependent adhesion. We unravel a novel signaling pathway by which integrin engagement by the ECM protein fibronectin promotes hERG1 translocation to the plasma membrane and its association with ß1 integrins, by activating girdin-dependent Gαi3 proteins and protein kinase B (Akt). By sequestering hERG1, ß1 integrins make it avoid Rab5-mediated endocytosis, where unbound channels are degraded. The cycle of hERG1 expression determines the resting potential (Vrest) oscillations and drives the cortical f-actin dynamics and thus cell motility. To interpret the slow biphasic kinetics of hERG1/ß1 integrin interplay, we developed a mathematical model based on a generic balanced inactivation-like module. Integrin-mediated cell adhesion triggers two contrary responses: a rapid stimulation of hERG1/ß1 complex formation, followed by a slow inhibition which restores the initial condition. The protracted hERG1/ß1 integrin cycle determines the slow time course and cyclic behavior of cell migration in cancer cells.

Prognostic Factors of the Latarjet Procedure / Fatores prognósticos da cirurgia de Latarjet

Abstract Objective To investigate the factors that influence the functional results of patients submitted to the Latarjet procedure. Methods Evaluation of 26 patients submitted to surgical treatment following the Latarjet technique due to traumatic recurrent anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, with glenoidal bone loss greater than 20% and/or off-track injury. The minimum follow-up time was of 12 months. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) scales, as well as objective data from the participants, were evaluated. Results Most patients (84.62%) did not present recurrence of the dislocation, and 92.31% were satisfied. Regarding the functional analysis, the physical component score (PCS) and the mental component score (MCS) found were within the mean quality of life of the population. The physical symptoms, according to the WOSI, presented the best percentage (8.5%), while the worst result was observed regarding lifestyle (20%). On the VAS, pain was classified as moderate (3/10) by 15.38% of the patients (4/26). In relation to sports, patients who practice sports showed improvement in SSV parameters, which had an inverse relationship with the number of relapses. It was also observed that the shorter the time between the first dislocation and the surgery, the greater the patient's satisfaction. Conclusion Early indication of surgical treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability may provide better subjective functional results to the patient.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar os fatores que influenciam os resultados funcionais dos pacientes submetidos ao procedimento de Latarjet. Métodos Avaliação de 26 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico, seguindo a técnica de Latarjet, devido a luxação anterior recidivante traumática da articulação glenoumeral, com perda óssea glenoidal maior do que 20% e/ou lesão off-track. O tempo mínimo de seguimento foi de doze meses. Foram avaliadas as seguintes escalas: Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), e Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), além dos dados objetivos dos participantes. Resultados A maioria dos pacientes (84,62%) não apresentou recidiva de luxação, e 92,31% ficaram satisfeitos. Em relação à análise funcional, a pontuação do componente físico (PCF) e a pontuação do compenente mental (PCM) encontradas estavam dentro da média de qualidade de vida da população. Os sintomas físicos, pela escala WOSI, apresentaram a melhor porcentagem (8,5%), ao passo que o pior resultado foi observado com relação ao estilo de vida (20%). Na EVA, a dor foi classificada como moderada (3/10) por 15,38% dos pacientes (4/26). Em relação aos esportes, os pacientes que praticavam alguma atividade esportiva apresentaram melhora nos parâmetros da escala SSV, que tiveram relação inversa com o número de recidivas. Observou-se ainda que, quanto menor foi o tempo entre a primeira luxação e a realização da cirurgia, maior foi a satisfação do paciente. Conclusão A indicação precoce do tratamento cirúrgico da instabilidade anterior glenoumeral pode proporcionar melhores resultados funcionais subjetivos ao paciente.

Impacto de COVID-19 en la formación de los alumnos de la Carrera de Posgrado de Cirugía General en un Hospital COVID / Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on trainees' education in the Postgraduate Program in General Surgery in a COVID-19-dedicated hospital

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El Hospital Eva Perón de la ciudad de Granadero Baigorria se destinó a la atención casi exclusiva de pacientes afectados por COVID-19, lo que implicó modificar las actividades que allí se desarrollan. Allí se realizan actividades correspondientes al Posgrado de Cirugía General de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario. El objetivo es describir los cambios y el funcionamiento del posgrado de Cirugía General en el HEEP durante la pandemia por COVID-19, y el impacto que esta tuvo sobre la formación de los alumnos. Material y métodos: se realizó un trabajo descriptivo, comparativo. Período 20 de marzo de 2020 al 30 de septiembre de 2020 y el mismo período del año 2019. Variables analizadas: número de cirugías, horas en el hospital, número de guardias, actividad en consultorio y pacientes evaluados, seminarios teóricos, cursado de la carrera de posgrado. Resultados: las cirugías totales se redujeron un 74,88%. Las cirugías programadas se redujeron un 85,59%. Las cirugías de guardia se redujeron un 63,19%. Las guardias de R1, R2 y R3 se vieron disminuidas, al contrario de R4. Las horas en el hospital se redujeron en todos los alumnos. Los pacientes ingresados disminuyeron el 74,06%. La atención en todos los consultorios se vio reducida. Las actividades académicas se incrementaron, de forma no presencial. Conclusión: la pandemia por COVID-19 afectó significativamente la formación de los alumnos del posgrado de Cirugía General del HEEP. Se recurrió a métodos no tradicionales de enseñanza para realizar actualizaciones y discutir trabajos científicos.

ABSTRACT Background: Hospital Eva Perón in the city of Granadero Baigorria was almost exclusively dedicated to the care of COVID-19 patients; thereby, it was necessary to modify its activities, as those of the postgraduate program in General Surgery of Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, which take place in this hospital. The aim of this study is to describe the changes made and the performance of the postgraduate program in general surgery at HEEP during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on trainees' education. Material and methods: We conducted a descriptive study comparing the period between March 20, 2020, and September 30, 2020, with the same period in 2019. The variables analyzed included number of surgeries, hours spent in hospital, number of in-house call shifts, activities in the outpatient clinic and evaluation of patients, theoretical seminars, attendance to classes of the postgraduate programs and research work. Results: The total number of surgeries decreased by 74.88%, scheduled surgeries by 85.59% and emergency surgeries by 63.19%. The numbers of in-house call shifts of PGY-1, PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents decreased but not those of PGY-4 residents. The hours spent in hospital decreased in all the trainees. The number of patients hospitalized decreased by 74.06% and there was a reduction in all the activities of the outpatient clinics. The academic activities, performed non-face-to-face, increased. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected trainees' education in the postgraduate program in General Surgery at HEEP. Non-traditional teaching methods were used for updating and discussing scientific papers.

El cuidado invisible en pacientes críticos desde la perspectiva del equipo de enfermeria / nvisible care in critical patients from the perspective of the nursing team

Introducción: es cierto que existen cuidados que son visiblemente notorios y de hecho quedan asentados en los registros de enfermería e historia clínica. Sin embargo, existen otros cuidados, comúnmente llamados cuidados invisibles. Estos últimos son acciones y cuidados que la mayoría de las veces son intangibles pero que contribuyen al bienestar y mejoría de las personas, tanto o más que las acciones técnicas y/o delegadas, dirigidas al plano físico/clínico del paciente. Objetivos: Comprender e interpretar los cuidados invisibles de enfermería y su importancia en la evolución del paciente crítico en el servicio de Terapia Intensiva, de un hospital del departamento de San Martín, Mendoza, durante el mes de Junio de 2019. Material y Método: estudio cualitativo fenomenológico. La población estuvo dada por enfermeros del servicio de terapia intensiva de adultos. Muestreo por saturación. Se emplearon entrevistas abiertas en profundidad. Se registraron de manera manual escrita los datos y luego se realizó un análisis detallado de la información. Se entregó previamente a cada entrevistado un consentimiento informado explicativo. Conclusiones: El enfermero crítico ejerce un rol fundamental durante la estancia de sus pacientes, ya que su papel involucra muchas más cosas que solo los procedimientos técnicos. Esta relación vincular requiere no solo de conocimiento científico sino también de valores y cuidados éticos. El enfermero es por consideración, un buen acompañante terapéutico, ya que es capaz de ser educador, poseer actitud empática, ejercer escucha activa, contener frente a situaciones estresantes, brindar afecto y ser fiel frente a las necesidades de los pacientes[AU]

Introduction: it is true that there are care that are clearly visible and in fact are recorded in the nursing records and clinical history. However, there are other care, commonly called invisible care. The latter are actions and care that most of the time are intangible but that contribute to the welfare and improvement of people, as much or more than the technical and / or delegated actions, directed to the physical / clinical plane of the patient. Objectives: To understand and interpret the invisible nursing care and its importance in the evolution of the critical patient in the Intensive Therapy service of the Alfredo Italo Perrupato Hospital, in the department of San Martín, Mendoza during the month of June 2019. Material and Method: qualitative phenomenological study. The population was given by nurses of the adult intensive care service. Saturation sampling. Open interviews were used n depth. The data was recorded manually and then a detailed analysis of the information was made. An explanatory informed consent was previously given to each respondent. Conclusions: The critical nurse plays a fundamental role during the stay of his patients, since his role involves many more things than just the technical procedures. This relationship requires not only scientific knowledge but also values and ethical care. The nurse is, by consideration, a good therapeutic companion, since he is able to be an educator, have an empathic attitude, exercise active listening, contain stressful situations, provide affection and be faithful to the needs of patients[AU]

Introdução: é verdade que existem cuidados que são claramente visíveis e de fato estão registrados nos registros de enfermagem e na história clínica. No entanto, existem outros cuidados, comumente chamados de cuidados invisíveis. Estas últimas são ações e cuidados que na maioria das vezes são intangíveis, mas que contribuem para o bem-estar e a melhoria das pessoas, tanto ou mais do que as ações técnicas e / ou delegadas, direcionadas ao plano físico / clínico do paciente. Objetivos: Compreender e interpretar o cuidado invisível de enfermagem e sua importância na evolução do paciente crítico no serviço de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Alfredo Italo Perrupato, no departamento de San Martín, Mendoza, durante o mês de junho de 2019. Material e Metodo: estudo fenomenológico qualitativo. A população foi atendida por enfermeiras do serviço de terapia intensiva adulto. Amostragem de saturação. Entrevistas abertas foram usadas em profundidade. Os dados foram registrados manualmente e, em seguida, foi feita uma análise detalhada das informações. Um consentimento informado explicativo foi dado previamente a cada respondente. Conclusões: O enfermeiro crítico desempenha um papel fundamental durante a internação de seus pacientes, visto que sua atuação envolve muito mais coisas do que apenas os procedimentos técnicos. Essa relação requer não apenas conhecimento científico, mas também valores e cuidados éticos. O enfermeiro é, por consideração, um bom companheiro terapêutico, pois pode ser educador, ter atitude empática, exercer a escuta ativa, conter situações estressantes, proporcionar carinho e ser fiel às necessidades dos pacientes[AU]